Director of Public Works/Airport Operations (Licensed & Unlicensed)

An official application is required in order to be considered. To apply, visit: www.countyofcolusa.com/jobs

Colusa County offers a 3% at 60 Classic Retirement formula and a 2% @ 62 formula for New Members!

The County of Colusa is seeking an accomplished public works professional or emerging leader for the position of Director of Public Works/Airport Operations. This executive role oversees a broad range of essential public infrastructure and community services, including road and bridge maintenance, engineering, traffic control, landfill operations, airport operations, and floodplain management. The position also serves as Executive Director of the Transportation Commission and Transit Agency, providing an opportunity to shape infrastructure, mobility, and long-range planning initiatives throughout the County.

This recruitment is intended to attract both seasoned professionals seeking an opportunity to lead impactful programs and projects, as well as aspiring department leaders ready to take the next step in their public works careers. Colusa County recognizes that exceptional leadership can come from a variety of professional paths and values candidates who demonstrate sound judgment, collaboration, adaptability, technical competence, and a commitment to public service.

For experienced leaders, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact within an organization that values innovation, responsiveness, and practical problem-solving. The County maintains an active and diverse portfolio of infrastructure, transportation, and operational responsibilities that provide meaningful opportunities for strategic leadership and project delivery.

For candidates pursuing their first department head opportunity, the County offers a supportive environment with strong organizational infrastructure, established professional relationships, and access to mentorship from experienced public works professionals with decades of leadership experience. The organization is committed to developing leadership capacity and fostering long-term success through collaboration, guidance, and shared expertise.

Join a department guided by experienced leadership with more than 25 years of Public Works expertise, providing strong organizational support and established professional relationships for success.

This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader to make a lasting impact on the County’s infrastructure and development. To learn more about this position, please check out the job description pages HERE.

This recruitment is open until filled. It is to your advantage to submit an application as soon as possible, as the recruitment may close at any time following application review on June 8, 2026.

What are the benefits?

• A beautiful, safe community in which to work and serve
• A job with WORK-LIFE BALANCE
• A LIFETIME PAYCHECK (3% @ 60 for Classic Members and 2% @ 62 for New Members) - As long as you work for 5 years and vest in the CalPERS system, you will receive a retirement paycheck for the rest of your life.
• Amazing health care BENEFITS at NO COST to you - Unless you choose a premium health care plan.
• Authentically kind and engaged leadership who truly enjoy developing staff
• 457 Deferred Compensation
• Management Leave: 10 days
• PAID vacation, PAID holidays (15), and PAID sick leave
• Vacation Parity! - Previous service with a public agency counts towards vacation accrual at Colusa County (Includes cities, counties, districts, military and similar entities.) To learn more about vacation parity please see our benefit summary.)

(To view the benefit summary for this position, please click here.)

COLUSA COUNTY: NAVIGATING EXCELLENCE, SERVING OUR COMMUNITY!

Qualifications:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Public Works Director/ Director of Airport Operations:
Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible public works experience including three (3) years of administrative and supervisory responsibility and 120 units from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering, business, management, or a related field.

OR

Nine (9) years of increasingly responsible public works experience including three (3) years of administrative and supervisory responsibility and 60 units from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering, business, management, or a related field.

Additional combinations of education and experience may be considered.

License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain a valid State of California driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.

Certificate of Registration as a professional Civil Engineer in the State of California, preferred.

Land surveying license in the State of California, preferred.

It is expected that the incumbent for the Director position will successfully complete the one-week course and exam to attain a Floodplain Manager Certification, within one year of appointment.

Supplemental Information:

SALARY:
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/AIRPORT OPERATOR - UNLICENSED: $10,343 – $18,717 MONTHLY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/AIRPORT OPERATOR - LICENSED: $11,418 – $18,717 MONTHLY